Undertake university-based education for planning, teaching and assessing the post-16 age range.

You could receive up to £28,000 in funding, depending on your highest relevant academic award.*

Thank you for changing lives

We're giving trainee teachers who start at Bath Spa University this September a £500 Thank You Scholarship for choosing to become a teacher.

Excellent teachers make a difference to the lives and futures of the people they teach. Developed in partnership with schools, this Ofsted Outstanding rated programme will support you to become an innovative and inspiring Geography teacher.

Our full-time programmes last for approximately 40 weeks; you’ll spend about two thirds of this time in a school or educational setting. Throughout the programme there is a dynamic relationship between your training in the University and your training in schools.

What you'll learn

Overview

This practical programme will teach you about life in the classroom. You’ll gain the knowledge and understanding necessary to reflect on your practice, and that of your colleagues, in order to enhance your confidence, refine your teaching and improve pupils' learning.

You’ll learn how to focus on an overarching goal related to teaching Geography, as well as investigating research questions through collaborative and individual practices. You’ll also be given opportunities to explore the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning in Geography.

Pupils' learning is at the heart of the programme. We’ll ask you to consider what ‘understanding’ means and how it can be developed and assessed. When you graduate, you’ll be fully qualified to teach, with the essential skills that you’ll need to be successful in the classroom.

University training

The programme provides a carefully structured balance of university and school-based phases. During the first university phase, we will concentrate on developing the knowledge and skills necessary for your first teaching practice. During the second university phase, we consider teaching and learning at Key Stage 4 and A-level in greater depth.

School training

The school phases are with two different partner schools. The first six-week phase is before Christmas and the second fourteen-week phase runs from February.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is designed to be progressive and to assist you in the provision of evidence to support your achievement against the Standards for QTS.

PGCE programmes are assessed in university, schools or other settings.

The evidence base includes:

Formally assessed assignments

Professional dialogue in progress reviews

The Professional Learning and Practice portfolio

School phase reports and observations

Professional development activities

Subject knowledge tests and tasks (where appropriate).

A personalised process of continuous assessment ensures that learning is appropriate and effective. Assessment takes account of both the programme experience and the school or setting and includes researching developing practice through assignment tasks. Support is provided to develop a rigorous evidence-based account of your educational journey.

How will I be taught?

As the programme is practical most of the University sessions can be thought of as workshops. We consider issues related to the engagement and motivation for the learning of Geography and prepare you to be active participants in the Geography education community through networking and engaging with various projects locally, nationally and internationally. We consider how a child’s learning progresses, develops and depends on enthusiastic teaching of the subject, and how teaching styles can aid this. We visit local classrooms to gain insight into these aspects of Geography education and to test the ideas developed.

Learning and teaching in PGCE programmes takes place through a combination of the following methods:

Tutorials at key points across the year

Lectures, seminars and workshops

Group activities: presentation, group discussion, role-play and collaborative working

Professional development activities undertaken in University and school or other settings.

Opportunities

Careers

This Secondary PGCE programme produces outstanding teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge, understanding and experiences necessary to face the challenges of the twenty-first century teacher.

On successful completion of the programme, you'll be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Level 7), with a recommendation to the National College of Teaching and Leadership for the award of Qualified Teacher Status. This enables qualified Bath Spa Teachers to apply for a wider range of teaching posts and other education-based employment.

Facilities and resources

Where the subject is taught

As a Bath Spa Teacher, you'll learn in a variety of locations within our wide partnership, both at the University and in schools.

University teaching takes place in rooms equipped with relevant texts, equipment, training materials, and electronic resources.

Fees

UK and EU students full time

Course fees

International students full time

Course fees

2018/19 entry

£12,900

2019/20 entry

Published Jan 2019

2020/21 entry

Published Jan 2020

Interested in applying?

What we look for in potential students

You’ll need to be suited to the teaching profession both personally and academically. We look for committed individuals with a professional approach and an exceptional work ethic. You’ll need to be organised, flexible and unflappable, as well as being able to communicate, interact and relate well to everyone. When entering the teaching profession, having strong emotional resilience and a sense of humour will give you the edge.

Academic requirements

In order to apply you'll need to have completed, or be in the final year of a UK degree (or an equivalent qualification). You’re required to have a 2:2 honours degree or above in Geography or a related subject with at least 50% suitable Geography content. In addition, you need A-Level Geography.

You'll also need GCSE passes at grade C or above (or 4 under the new mark scheme) or recognised equivalents in English Language and Mathematics. We also need the QTS tests in Literacy and Numeracy to be passed, but these can be taken after interview. In addition, for some Secondary programmes you are also required to have an A-level in the subject.

Non-academic requirements

The love of and competency in Geography is one of the most important aspects of being a good Geography teacher. You’ll be enthusiastic about Geography and working with children.

All applicants are subject to a number of checks designed to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession. You'll be required to attend an interview, complete Professional Skills Tests and undergo DBS checks. You may also need to enrol on a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course.

How do I apply?

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.